Stringbags in Actions. B.B. Schofield Book

Foreword 7

The Attack on Taranto 1940

Introduction 9

Part I

1 The Mediterranean 1939-1940 20

2 Operation Mike Bravo Ate (MB.8) 29

3 The Plan of Attack 35

4 The Attack Goes In 43

5 Taranto Night and its Aftermath 57

6 The Avengers 67

Epilogue 77

Plans

The Attack on Taranto, 11 November 1940 42

Movements of Forces during Operation MB.8 42

HMS Illustrious showing bomb hits and near misses on 10 January 1941 76

Part II

Appendices

I Honours and Awards 80

II Summary of Torpedoes fired during the Attack on the Italian Fleet at Taranto, 11/12 November 1940 81

III Summary of Ammunition Expenditure by Italian Shore Defences 82

IV Fleet Air Arm Personnel taking part in the Attack on Taranto 83

V Details of British Naval Aircraft 85

VI Details of German and Italian Aircraft 87

VII Ship's Data (British) 89

VIII Ship's Data (Italian) 91

Notes 93

Acknowledgements 94

Select Bibliography 95

The Loss of the Bismarck 1941

Introduction 98

Part I

1 Moves and Countermoves 107

2 British Home Fleet Sails 113

3 Action and Reaction 123

4 Pursuit 133

5 26 May - Bismarck Relocated 141

6 The Final Phase 151

Part II

Appendices

I List of Flags and Commanding Officers and Ships Taking part in Operations Against the Bismarck 162

II Ship's Data (British) 167

III Ship's Data (German) 179

IV Air Data 181

V Torpedoes Fired at Bismarck 182

VI Ammunition Expended During the Final Action Against Bismarck, 27 May 1941 183

VIII Honours and Awards 184

Diagrams

1 Operation Rheinübung 23 May 1941. The sighting of the Bismarck 112

2 Plan of action between HMS Hood and Prince of Wales and the German ships Bismarck and Prinz Eugen on 24 May 112

3 Bismarck lost after torpedo attacks by Victorious' aircraft 122

4 Movements of British Forces after losing touching with Bismarck 0800-2000 on 25 May 132

5 Bismarck relocated, movements of British Forces from 1030 on 26 May 187

6 Final action against Bismarck on 27 May 187

Notes 185

Acknowledgements 186

Select Bibliography 187

Index 189